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New Books for Collectors
—
November 2007
Center Draft-Kerosene
Lamps, 1884-1940
by J. W. Courter
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
Center-Draft Kerosene Lamps, 1884-1940 is a grand volume than truly brightens the field for collectors. A major reason is its more than 1,700 illustrations, many of which are from vintage advertisements and catalogs.
For the curious, the book offers history of 50 histories of once profitable and prolific companies. It also provides over 165 brands of lamps and their specific manufacturers.
Colorful makers of these equally colorful kerosene lamps range from Adams and Westlake to Wallace and Sons. Others include the American-Belgian Lamp Company, Bridgeport Brass, Chicago Lamp, Lane Manufacturing, Meriden Bronze, Nail City Stamping, Pittsburgh Brass, Rochester Lamp and Trenton Lamp Company.
“Most of the lamps in this book provided light for everyday chores — they were practical and they were improvements over many older lamps,” according to author J. Bill Courter. “This book is about lamps that burned a bright flame for light. These center-draft lamps were sold as home lamps, study lamps, store lamps, hotel lamps and factory and mill lamps. Fires starting from lamps were troublesome, and safety standards were developed to improve fuel, wicks and glass chimneys. Brass lamps did not break easily and rarely exploded.”
Courter explains the overall use of the term central-draft. It refers specifically to a tube on the lamp, which was fitted to a frame spreader to supply air (oxygen) to the flame of a round wick. He notes that such a central-draft tube was a “significant improvement” in light, evident in Argand, Sinumbra, Astral and Solar lamps.
Center Draft-Kerosene Lamps, 1884-1940 by J.W. Courter, black and while illustrations, value guide, index, 448 pages, is $24.95 from Collector Books, 1-800-626-5420.
50s, 60s &
70s Kitchen Collectibles
by Douglas Congdon-Martin and Tina Skinner
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
Something good is cooking in the kitchen of collectibles these days — a robust new volume on kitchen collectibles of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
50s, 60s & 70s Kitchen Collectibles by Douglas Congdon-Martin and Tina Skinner is a grand assembly of the very items which once graced America’s kitchen.
“An era when the kitchen was kitsch,” notes the publisher, “iced tea was served in sweaty spun aluminum of futuristic metallic shades, and wall clocks kept time in bright plastic fames shaped to evoke the jet age.”
Bowls, dishes, dinnerware sets, trays, pitchers and cookware splash across glossy pages of this book. There are rivets, potholders, breadboxes, appliances and wall décor as well. Moreover, there are even full color photographs and current values for printed tablecloths, dishtowels, telephones, coasters and accent pieces.
The collection of brands, designers and manufacturers is a sweeping one starting with Aladdin made lunchboxes and continuing though Canada’s makers of 1950s and 1960s kitchenware Wondermold Industries. Lots of other favorites are included as well including Anchor Hocking, Federal Glass, Masterware, Mirro, Rival, Western Electric and Westinghouse.
The authors also deal with various materials found in kitchen treasures of the past including Bakelite, chrome; both anodized and spun aluminum, enamelware and Melmac. Nearly 400 nifty and dazzling color photographs come with current values in this dandy and handy volume.
50s, 60s & 70s Kitchen Collectibles by Douglas Congdon-Martin and Tina Skinner, 160 pages, is $29.95 plus shipping from Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310.
©2000-07 Discovery Publications, Inc.